Hancock, Suchet and Walter lead honours
January 2, 2011
Veteran stage and screen actors Sheila Hancock, David Suchet and Harriet Walter have been awarded New Year honours, along with Les Mis lyricist Herbert Kretzmer.
Sheila Hancock
Sheila Hancock and David Suchet have both been awarded CBEs, and Harriet Walter is to be made a dame, 11 years after becoming a CBE.
Hancock, 77, has enjoyed a 50 year career that includes a recent stint in Sister Act at the London Palladium and as a judge on BBC talent show “Over the Rainbow” to cast a Dorothy for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s forthcoming production of The Wizard of Oz at the Palladium. She was awarded an OBE in 1974 for services to drama and has appeared in numerous stage, film, TV and radio roles, from the RSC to EastEnders and Carry On films.
Harriet Walter is best known as a stage actor, performing for companies such as the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, including her recent performance as Cleopatra opposite Patrick Stewart at the RSC and as Mary Stuart in the West End at the Donmar Warehouse and on Broadway. She told the Guardian in London that she has, “reservations about some parts of the honours system”, but despite fearing that it is not a fair system, felt that it would allow her to speak up in defence of the theatre and “square the circle” by acknowledging the award.
David Suchet is best known in the UK and around the world for playing Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot on television, and is also a seasoned stage performer with recent appearances including All My Sons at the Apollo Theatre alongside Zoe Wanamaker and Complicit at the Old Vic in 2009 opposite Richard Dreyfuss.
Also acknowledged in the honours is lyricist Herbert Kretzmer, who co-wrote the lyrics to the world’s longest running musical, Les Misérables, and is to become an OBE.
Avenue Q, Sister Act close tonight
October 30, 2010
The West End bids farewell to long-running shows Avenue Q and Sister Act tonight, 30 October 2010.
Patina Miller and Simon Webbe in Sister Act
Patina Miller, Simon Webbe and Sally Dexter will perform for the last time tonight, Saturday 30 October, at the London Palladium as a packed house will cheer out Sister Act after 17 months in town.
The hit musical, based on the movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, opened on 2 June 2009 with Patina Miller as nightclub singer Deloris van Cartier and Sheila Hancock as Mother Superior. Whoopi Goldberg also played the role of Mother Superior for short stints in August and October this year, alongside regular Superior – Sally Dexter.
The show will vacate the Palladium leaving a three month gap before The Wizard of Oz opens at the theatre in February 2011.
Sister Act will move to Broadway following its London closure, with Broadway veteran Jerry Zaks (The Addams Family) taking the director helm. The show will open at the Broadway Theatre on 20 April 2011.
Kate Monster and Cassidy Janson in Avenue Q
And over at the Wyndham’s Theatre, cult Broadway show Avenue Q will also bow out of London today, after opening on 1 June 2006 at the Noel Coward Theatre.
The musical had been scheduled to close at the Noel Coward in March 2009 but a surprise surge in bookings led producer Cameron Mackintosh to keep it going, transferring the show to the Gielgud Theatre. It made a further move to the Wyndham’s Theatre, its current home, in March this year.
The show won three Tony Awards on Broadway and continues to run off-Broadway in New York. The London cast saying farewell tonight include Delroy Atkinson, Cassidy Janson, Rachel Jerram, Sion Lloyd, Tom Parsons, Paul Spicer, Jacqueline Tate, Irene Alano-Rhodes, Alan Pearson, Amanda Posener, Jaygann Ayeh, Sam Harrison and Maria Lawson.
LINKS
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Dexter acts superior in Sister Act
August 24, 2010
Sally Dexter will join the cast of Sister Act next month at the London Palladium when she becomes the third actress to play Mother Superior in the hit musical.
Sally Dexter in Bad Girls
The multi-talented actress will join the cast of the show following Whoopi Goldberg’s current run in the role.
Dexter, who has appeared in numerous plays and musicals including Billy Elliot and Bad Girls, was last at the Palladium playing Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s 1994 production of Oliver!
The show is slated to end at the London Palladium on 30 October 2010, earlier than its original 1 January closing date. It will make way for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s big-budget new production of The Wizard of Oz. Sister Act is expected to go on to Broadway.
The part of Mother Superior was originated by Sheila Hancock in the musical, which is based on the hit movie.
Special offer: Save £24 on tickets to Sister Act at the London Palladium
Whoopi a smash in Sister Act
August 11, 2010
Hollywood star Whoopi Goldberg was on great form last night, making her West End debut in Sister Act at the London Palladium.
Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act The Musical
Stars were out in force to support the performer, who starred in the original movie and has now taken over from Sheila Hancock as Mother Superior in the show.
Pop singer Mika said: “Sister Act was brilliant. Whoopi was excellent, so humble and at one with the rest of the cast. I could not stop smiling”.
Whoopi told the Daily Mail before the curtain went up last night that she was nervous about performing in the show: “It’s a big deal. It’s The Palladium and it’s London, and it’s my first stage production here that I’m in.”
Fellow co-star Patina Miller who plays Deloris van Cartier, the role that Whoopi originated in the hit movie, said that she was, “blessed to be onstage with her” last night. Simon Webbe, from boyband Blue and who plays Shank in the show called Goldberg a “true star”.
Whoopi stars in the show for only 23 performances from 10 to 31 August at the London Palladium.
Actress, singer-songwriter, political activist and talk show host, Whoopi Goldberg won an Oscar in 1990 for her part in Ghost, and has appeared in numerous films including The Color Purple, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Soapdish, as well as her comedy stand-up work and appearance on US TV’s The View.
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PICTURES
Whoopi Goldberg starts tonight
August 10, 2010
Whoopi Goldberg makes her West End debut tonight, 10 August, in Sister Act at the London Palladium.
Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act The Musical
The Hollywood movie star has co-produced the West End show, based on the 1990s film in which she starred.
The Oscar-winner takes over from Sheila Hancock in the role of Mother Superior for 23 performances only from 10 to 31 August at the London Palladium. The show also stars Patina Miller as Deloris van Cartier, in the role that Whoopi originated in the hit movie.
Sheila Hancock left the show on 31 July, with her co-star Patina Miller paying tribute to the star on Twitter: “I’ve learned so much from her, it’s gonna be tough to see her leave”.
Actress, singer-songwriter, political activist and talk show host, Whoopi Goldberg won an Oscar in 1990 for her part in Ghost, and has appeared in numerous films including The Color Purple, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Soapdish, as well as her comedy stand-up work and appearance on US TV’s The View.
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Casting: Sister Act, Priscilla, Les Mis
July 15, 2010
Whoopi Goldberg to make her West End debut in Sister Act; Alf from Home and Away joins the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert; Ramin Karimloo and Samantha Barks to appear in Les Mis at the O2.
Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act The Musical
SISTER ACT
Whoopi Goldberg will join the cast of Sister Act next month. The Hollywood movie star makes her West End debut in the show that she has co-produced, based on the 1990s film in which she starred.
The Oscar-winner will take over from Sheila Hancock in the role of Mother Superior for 23 performances only from 10 to 31 August at the London Palladium. The show also stars Patina Miller as Deloris van Cartier, in the role that Whoopi originated in the hit movie.
The actress, singer-songwriter, political activist and talk show host won an oscar in 1990 for her part in Ghost, and has appeared in numerous films including The Color Purple, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Soapdish, as well as her comedy stand-up work and appearance on US TV’s The View.
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PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT
Ray Meagher
Home and Away’s Alf Stewart, aka Australian actor Ray Meagher, will join the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre from 30 September.
Sadly Ray will not be donning fishnets and stilettos to play one of the three Sydney drag queens who go bush on an epic journey across Australia in the fun show based on the hit movie. Rather Ray will play ocker mechanic Bob, who falls for Les Girls drag queen Bernadette, played in the show by Don Gallagher.
Other cast in the long-running show include The Bill’s Ben Richards as Tick and Oliver Thornton as Adam.
In a West End first, the whole show will take a break in September for essential maintenance work on Priscilla the bus, allowing the cast and crew to enjoy a holiday from 6 to 19 September.
Book tickets to Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Palace Theatre
LES MISERABLES 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess in Love Never Dies
More casting has been announced for the O2 Arena concert celebrating the 25th anniversary of Les Miserables on 3 October 2010.
Current star of Love Never Dies, Ramin Karimloo, will take on the role of Enjolras in the musical. He will be joined by current Les Mis cast member Samantha Barks as Eponine. Samantha was a finalist on the BBC One talent show I’d Do Anything and is currently playing Eponine in the West End production of Les Miserables alongside Nick Jonas.
The special concert will play on 3 October 2010 at 1.30pm and 7pm.
The concert will see stars from the original London cast come together with current casts and major celebrities to celebrate the birthday, including Nick Jonas, Alfie Boe, Norm Lewis, Matt Lucas, Lea Salonga, Jenny Galloway, Camilla Kerslake and 300 performers and musicians.
Les Miserables will also make theatrical history with three different productions running simultaneously in London: the original production at the Queen’s Theatre, the new 25th anniversary UK tour of Les Miserables which will come to the Barbican for a short season, and the exclusive concert at the O2 Arena.
Book tickets to Les Miserables 25th Anniversary concert at the O2 Arena
OLIVIER AWARDS – Best Supporting Winners
June 17, 2010
OLIVIER AWARDS – Best Supporting Winners
Best Performance in a Supporting Role
2009 Patrick Stewart for Hamlet
2008 Rory Kinnear for The Man Of Mode
2007 Jim Norton for The Seafarer
2006 Noma Dumezweni for A Raisin In The Sun, Young Vic
2005 Amanda Harris for Othello
2004 Warren Mitchell for The Price
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
2011 Michelle Terry for Tribes
2010 Ruth Wilson for A Streetcar Named Desire
2002 Marcia Warren for Humble Boy
2001 Pauline Flanagan for Dolly West’s Kitchen
2000 Patricia Hodge for Money
1997 Deborah Findlay for Stanley
1995 Dora Bryan for The Birthday Party
1994 Helen Burns for The Last Yankee
1993 Barbara Leigh-Hunt for An Inspector Calls
1992 Frances de la Tour for When She Danced
1991 Sara Crowe for Private Lives
1984 Marcia Warren for Stepping Out
1983 Abigail McKern for As You Like It
1982 Anna Massey for The Importance Of Being Earnest
1981 Gwen Watford for Present Laughter
1980 Suzanne Bertish for Nicholas Nickleby
1979 Doreen Mantle for Death Of A Salesman
1978 Elizabeth Spriggs for Love Letters On Blue Paper
1977 Mona Washbourne for Stevie
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
2011 Adrian Scarborough for After the Dance
2010 Eddie Redmayne for Red
2002 Toby Jones for The Play What I Wrote
2001 Ben Daniels for All My Sons
2000 Roger Allam for Money
1997 Trevor Eve for Uncle Vanya
1995 Ken Stott for Broken Glass
1994 Joseph Mydell for Perestroika
1993 Julian Glover for Henry IV (Parts 1 and 2)
1992 Oleg Menshikov for When She Danced
1991 David Bradley for King Lear
1984 Edward Petherbridge for Strange Interlude
1983 Alan Devlin for A Moon For The Misbegotten
1982 David Healy for Guys And Dolls
1981 Joe Melia for Good
1980 David Threlfall for Nicholas Nickleby
1979 Patrick Stewart for Antony And Cleopatra
1978 Robert Eddison for Twelfth Night
1977 Nigel Hawthorne for Privates On Parade
Best Supporting Performance
2003 Essie Davis for A Streetcar Named Desire
1999 Brendan Coyle for The Weir
1998 Sarah Woodward for Tom & Clem
1996 Simon Russell Beale for Volpone
1989/90 Michael Bryant for Hamlet, The Voysey Inheritance and Racing Demon
1988 Eileen Atkins for Cymbeline, The Winter’s Tale and Mountain Language
1987 Michael Bryant for King Lear and Antony And Cleopatra
1986 Paul Jesson for The Normal Heart
1985 Imelda Staunton for A Chorus Of Disapproval and The Corn Is Green
1976 Margaret Courtenay for Separate Tables
Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical
2011 Jill Halfpenny for Legally Blonde – The Musical
2010 Iwan Rheon for Spring Awakening
2009 Lesli Margherita for Zorro
2008 Tracie Bennett for Hairspray
2007 Sheila Hancock for Cabaret
2006 Celia Imrie for Acorn Antiques – The Musical!
2005 Conleth Hill for The Producers
2004 The Chorus of Jerry Springer – The Opera
2003 Paul Baker for Taboo
2002 Martyn Jacques for Shockheaded Peter
2001 Miles Western for Pageant
2000 Jenny Galloway for Mamma Mia!
1999 Shuler Hensley for Oklahoma!
1998 James Dreyfus for Lady In The Dark
1997 Clive Rowe for Guys And Dolls
1996 Sheila Gish for Company
1995 Tracie Bennett for She Loves Me
1994 Sara Kestelman for Cabaret
1993 Janie Dee for Carousel
1992 Jenny Galloway for The Boys From Syracuse
1991 Karla Burns for Show Boat
Sister Act The Musical – Save £26
May 21, 2010
Save £26 on tickets to Sister Act at the London Palladium
Valid Monday to Friday performances until the 18th June (Excludes school holidays)
westendtheatre.com presents £26 off tickets to major musical SISTER ACT at the London Palladium.
This hugely enjoyable show stars award-winning actress and Over The Rainbow judge Sheila Hancock as Mother Superior and rising new star Patina Miller as Deloris – plus ex-Blue band member Simon Webbe will be joining the cast from 31 May.
The show has been hailed by critics as “glorious fun!” (The Daily Telegraph),”a divine all singing, all dancing musical comedy!” (Daily Express) and “Sister Act answered all my prayers and more!” (Daily Mail).
SISTER ACT features a score by Alan Menken, eight-time Oscar winner and the genius behind many of the world famous songs from Disney’s movies, including The Little Mermaid, Beauty & The Beast, Aladdin and Enchanted, with lyrics from his long time collaborator, Glenn Slater. The book is by the award-winning team, Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, whose writing credits include the classic television comedy Cheers, and the production is directed by Peter Schneider.
MORE ABOUT SISTER ACT
When Disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder she is put in protective custody in the one place cops are sure she won’t be found – a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and an up tight Mother Superior. Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir Deloris breathes new life into the church and community, but in doing so blows her cover. Soon the gang is giving chase only to find them up against Deloris and the power of her new found Sister Hood.
Sister Act is based on the smash-hit movie, and produced by the movie’s original star Whoopi Goldberg.
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Valid Monday to Friday performances until the 18th June (Excludes school holidays)
CASTING: Sister Act and Legally Blonde
April 23, 2010
It’s the great boy-band takeover of the West End as ex-Blue singer Simon Webbe and actor and pop singer Richard Fleeshman head to Theatreland.
Simon Webbe
Duncan James may be currently wowing them in Legally Blonde, but fellow Blue band mate Simon Webbe will be following in his footsteps later this year, by joining the cast of Sister Act at the London Palladium.
Webbe, who has appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and is also a singer-songwriter, manager and recording artist, has had a few acting parts over the last few years but nothing as big as a major role in a West End show. Previous acting credits include romantic-comedy The Truth About Love and British gangster movie Rollin’ With The Nines.
Also starring in Sister Act is Patina Miller and Over The Rainbow judge Sheila Hancock .
Richard Fleeshman
Talking of Duncan James, he’s off! James, who has starred in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre since its opening in January, will leave the show at the end of June.
His replacement in the role of Warner will be ex-Coronation Street star Richard Fleeshman. Most recently in BBC drama All The Small Things, Fleeshman also has a singing career and has released a an album, won ITV show Soapstar Superstar and supported Elton John on his 2008 stadium tour.
Sheridan Smith will continue in the lead role of Elle Woods in the feel-good hit that is based on the successful film.
Over The Rainbow
March 25, 2010
Welcome to our special westendtheatre.com celebration of all things Over The Rainbow. Over The Rainbow, which finished on 22 May on BBC One, saw 20 contestants battle it out to play the role of Dorothy in a multi-million pound new production of The Wizard of Oz. The lucky winner was Danielle Hope, 18 from Greater Manchester, who won the show in a closely fought final with runner-up Sophie Evans, 17 from Wales.
“Henry! Henry! I can’t find Dorothy! She’s somewhere out in the storm! Dorrrrrrotheeeeeee!”
Andrew Lloyd Webber is bringing the classic musical The Wizard of Oz to the London Palladium in March 2011. The role of Dorothy was made famous by Judy Garland in the hit 1939 MGM film, and has remained a dream role ever since.
The yellow brick road, munchkins, wicked witches and little dogs called Toto are all part of the musical legend of Oz, with the film remaining one of the best-loved movie musicals of all time.
We have followed the ups and downs of the stage-struck girls, as they battled it out to win the part of a lifetime and become the star of a hit West End show (see our Over The Rainbow TV section).
“Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?”
Over The Rainbow, hosted by Graham Norton, started at 9pm on Friday 26 March on BBC One, followed by a live feature-length studio show on Saturday 27 March at 6.30pm.
Following the success of BBC musical talent shows How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do and I’d Do Anything, Over The Rainbow saw Andrew Lloyd Webber search for a new Dorothy to lead the cast in his 2011 revival of The Wizard of Oz. He was joined by a new panel of experts – actress Sheila Hancock, who is currently starring in Sister Act at the London Palladium, singer and TV presenter Charlotte Church and EastEnders actor John Partridge.
“I’ll get you my pretty, and your little dog, too!”
Check out the menu above for news and information as the series progresses, including the Over The Rainbow TV show, interviews with the contestants and panelists and information about The Wizard of Oz West End show.
